“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy” (1Cor 14:1)

“Pursue love.” We should pursue love, true love. Not love which is, in essence, apostasy from Christ and a compromise with the spirit of the world. The word “love” is now very frequently used in the Church. However, this term now includes everything – fornication, betrayal, apostasy from Christ. Everything is “love”; only one thing is not allowed – defending Jesus Christ and loving Him with a pure heart. What is love – true love – “agape”? The manifestation of this love is that I want to be saved and I also want others to obtain salvation; and then whether I endure pain or suffering or carry a cross in union with Christ or I have to tell the truth which hurts, this all is love. Even when I have to hurt someone unto salvation, e.g. to point out his heresies. This all is love because I want this person to be saved.

“Desire spiritual gifts.” What should we desire? Spiritual gifts, “but especially that you may prophesy”. The word “especially” is followed by only one thing: that you may prophesy. So the Lord encourages us to do something in order to have the gift of prophecy indeed. The Apostle Paul says that it concerns every believer. We cannot say: “This gift should be desired by monks, nuns, priests…” No, these words of God concern everyone, and even you personally.

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